278 



Cruise of the 

 Porpnise. 



PAUMOTU GROUP AND PENRHYN ISLAND. 



Cruise of the 

 Porpoise. 



coral sand, and an occasional stratum of coral 

 rock. Since my return, I have seen the results of 

 a similar experiment made by Captain Belcher, 

 on another island, (Hau or Bow Island,) in the 

 same group. They are identical with ours. 



Among other duties assigned Lieutenant John- 

 son were tidal observations, which were continued 

 uninterruptedly, from the 19th of December, 1840, 

 till his departure from the island; but unfortu- 

 nately, the tide-staff was placed in the lagoon, a 

 place not free from objections, because the tide 

 there has but a small rise and fall, and is much 

 influenced by the wind, that blows the water over 

 the reef, giving less tide and a longer outflowing 

 there; but the flood was distinctly seen, by Lieu- 

 tenant Johnson, during a fishing excursion at the 

 entrance of the lagoon, to flow in rapidly; and the 

 high tide was correct, for the water on the reef was 

 two feet or more in depth. The record of these 

 observations gives the high water at the full and 

 change of the moon at six o'clock: the rise and fall 

 in the lagoon eight inches, and two tides in twenty- 

 four hours. During our visit to this island I had 

 observed a fall of upwards of two feet, and have to 

 regret that the tide- staff was placed in so unfortu- 

 nate a position. 



Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold now left Ta- 

 hiti. On the 6th of February, they made Flint's 

 Island, situated in longitude 151 48' W., and lati- 

 tude 11 25' 43" S. It is of small size, being only 

 one mile and a half in length, from north-north- 

 west to south-south-east, and thickly wooded: high 

 breakers extended off its point for some distance, 

 and the surf was so high that it was deemed im- 

 possible to land with a boat. No inhabitants were 

 seen. 



The next island searched for was one reported to 

 have been seen by Captain Cash. It was dis- 

 covered on the 8th, and proved to be a low sandy 

 islet with a lagoon. It is well wooded, half a mile 

 in diameter, of oval shape, with heavy breakers 

 surrounding it. Landing was reported to be im- 

 possible, and no attempt was made. After deter- 

 mining its position to be in latitude 10 5' S., and 

 longitude 152 22' 30" W., they bore away for the 

 position of Penrhyn Island. Lieutenant- Com- 

 mandant Ringgold believed the island last spoken 

 of to be Staver's Island, and by this name it is 

 designated on our charts. At night the water was 

 very phosphorescent: its temperature 78- 



The Porpoise next passed over the supposed site 

 of Teinhoven Island, without seeing any signs of 

 land, and thence north-west across two positions 

 assigned to Penrhyn's, examining particularly that 

 given by Captain Cash, in latitude 9 58' S., and 

 longitude 158 14' W. No island, however, was 

 seen. Proceeding further to the north-west, they, 

 on the 15th, discovered land, which proved to be 

 Penrhyn Island, about thirty miles west of its place 

 on Arrowsmith's Chart. It was of the usual coral 

 formation, low, and densely covered with trees, 

 among which the cocoa-nut was the most con- 

 spicuous. 



The vessel stood off and on all night, and on the 

 16th, at sunrise, canoes were discovered approach- 



ing the brig, in great numbers, many of them large. 

 At seven o'clock, two came alongside, and others 

 soon followed them. As the numbers of the visiters 

 increased, they became more bold, and clambered 

 up the sides, uttering loud and savage yells. They 

 were the wildest and most savage-looking beings 

 that had been met with, vociferating in a frightful 

 manner, and accompanying their exclamations with 

 the most violent contortions and gesticulations : 

 they seemed frantic with excitement. These na- 

 tives were quite naked, except a few who had on a 

 small maro of cocoa-nut leaves. 



Penrhyn Island was by estimate fifty feet high, 

 and was found to be nine miles long, north-north- 

 east and south- south-west, and about five miles 

 wide, with an extensive lagoon, having in it many 

 coral patches : there is a boat-entrance into it. 

 On the north-west side there appears to be a con- 

 tinuous village, with cocoa-nut groves throughout 

 its whole extent, and the island is evidently very 

 thickly peopled: the ferocity of the savages pre- 

 cluded the possibility of attempting a landing. 



Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold induced one 

 of the natives to come on board for a hatchet, and 

 directed him to draw the shape of the island with 

 a piece of chalk; but he proved so wild and was so 

 much amazed, that he did nothing but leap about, 

 constantly uttering exclamations. 



It was now deemed impossible to extend the 

 cruise to the Isles of Danger, agreeably to the 

 instructions, on account of want of time and 

 scarcity of provisions. This I regret, as I was 

 very desirous that these islands, pointed out by 

 Admiral Krusenstern, should be examined. This 

 cruise would also have embraced the western posi- 

 tions of Flint's and other islands, as laid down on 

 Arrowsmith's Chart. Compelled to forego this 

 part of his intended task, he stood to the north- 

 ward; and on the evening of the 24th of March, 

 anchored off Honolulu, after an absence of four 

 months and nine days, only eight of which were 

 passed in port. 



The results of this cruise of the Porpoise were 

 satisfactory to me, although it had been found im- 

 possible to carry out all the duties embraced in her 

 instructions. The performance of those that were 

 accomplished was attended with much fatigue from 

 the adverse state of the weather, an obstacle I was 

 somewhat apprehensive of, but not to the extent 

 that they experienced. Had I been at liberty, or 

 had time allowed, I should have gladly chosen 

 another season for it. With suitable weather, 

 there would have been ample time to accomplish 

 the whole. 



From the report of Lieutenant-Commandant 

 Ringgold, relative to the Porpoise, and on exami- 

 nation of her bottom, the copper was found so far 

 gone as to make it necessary to re-copper her. 

 This cause of detention was unlocked for, and I 

 had been in hopes to give her crew a short relaxa- 

 tion; but there was no opportunity for it. The 

 necessity of a speedy departure admitted of no 

 delay. She was accordingly hauled into the wharf, 

 the work set speedily about, and the brig again 

 prepared for sea. 



